Retirees Tell Rick Perry: You Can Run, But You Can't Hide on Social Security

August 19, 2011


For Immediate Release

August 19, 2011


The following statement was issued today by Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans:

“Today’s retirees weren’t born yesterday.  They know why Rick Perry is backpedaling on Social Security.

“After being confronted yesterday by members of the New Hampshire Alliance for Retired Americans, Gov. Perry and his campaign have been tripping over themselves to run from his previously stated views that Social Security is a ‘Ponzi Scheme,’ is unconstitutional, is a ‘bad disease,’ and is ‘a crumbling monument to the failure of the New Deal.’  These extreme views do not reflect the experiences of millions of Americans of all ages who have stayed out of poverty because of Social Security.

“Media reports in the past 24 hours show a variety of awkward attempts by Perry and his campaign to scale back his extreme views on Social Security that are clearly out of the mainstream of public opinion. It is particularly galling for Perry’s campaign to say that the Social Security positions Perry stated in his book are outdated, when the ink is barely dry on what was published last fall. 

“In the 2012 elections, older voters – a swing voting bloc – will keep a close eye on all the candidates.  Retirees know how important Social Security is to them and all Americans, and they want it to remain strong for generations to come.”

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Contact: David Blank (202) 637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org


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